SHAUN HOLMES' dream will come true if he lines up in front of a packed Millennium Stadium next year.

With his native Northern Ireland set to take on Wales, as well as England, in the 2006 World Cup qualifying campaign, there's a good chance this could become reality for the Londonderry-born defender.

The left-back, with one international cap to his name so far, has a real chance of making the squad against the home nations but is aware he needs to nail down a first-team place with the Dragons to secure a spot.

"I watched the draw on Sky Sports and thought it was an absolute brilliant group," said Holmes. "It's great to get the home internationals back and there's going to be some massive games.

"Joey (Jones) was speaking about the last time these matches were played in a competitive sense. It sounds brilliant and I just want to be involved."

Holmes was called up to the squad that lost narrowly to Greece in the final Euro 2004 qualifier, marking Sammy McIlroy's last match before he quit to take the reins at Stockport.

The Northern Ireland FA have yet to name a successor.

"They're taking their time over it," said Holmes. "I've heard a few names mentioned but nothing's been confirmed yet. Whoever comes in will have to look down the leagues for players.

"Hopefully, he will give me and Jim Whitley a fair crack of the whip. It would be a dream come true if we could line up against Wales in the Millennium Stadium."

Ahead of him in the race for the Northern Ireland left-back berth are Cheltenham's Grant McCann and Sunderland's George McCartney.

To press his claims, Holmes knows he must make himself indispensable to the Dragons.

"I've got to keep working really hard," he said. "I scored against Tranmere and was in for the next game at Hartlepool. I got dropped but came back for three or four games before I pulled my groin against Yeovil.

"To be honest, this break between games has really helped me. I'm fully fit and I'm focused on displacing Eddie (Paul Edwards)."

Holmes admits that Edwards, the present incumbent of the left wing-back position, is an altogether different player. "Everybody knows that I'm a full-back, more comfortable in a back four," he said. "Eddie's more naturally attacking but I can do a job in the position.

"It's all about getting into the team and staying there."

* STRIKER Leon Mike, who has been training with the Dragons, has signed for North West Counties side Moseley in a bid to regain match fitness.